The Vision
A church is not a grocery store, but could it be made into one? A grocery store is about feeding a community, which is something that church buildings are set up to do on a regular basis. A church is not just a building, but the community of people that comprise it. A co-op is not a building either, it’s the group of people that are its members. Once you start to think about it, both have a lot in common. And what they don’t have in common (stained glass windows) can serve to further differentiate Big River Grocery from the alternatives. It’s not a warehouse, it’s not a convenient store, it’s not a dollar store. Big River Grocery is a customized store that is the right size for the community it serves.
The Modern Marketplace
Surrounding the grocery store are symbiotic small businesses including a coffee counter, flower stand, cafe, bakery, and deli. These independently operated micro enterprises work together with the grocery store to create a comprehensive food access experience. The shared economic opportunity strengthens the cooperative spirit. A shared used kitchen will allow on-site preparation and packaging of food items for sale in the grocery store and will provide an outlet for the comunity’s strong culture of prepared foods.
A Different Kind of Experience
Instead of blinding lights and the chaos of clanging carts, you are greeted by the smell of coffee and fresh flowers. Soft, natural light spills in through stained glass windows. You’ve never seen produce illuminated so exquisitely. You wonder to yourself, “Why aren’t all grocery stores like this?”